U.S. and Finland to continue their cooperation in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction - Permanent Mission of Finland, Geneva : Current Affairs : Ministry for Foreign Affairs News

Press Releases, 12/20/2012 | Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

U.S. and Finland to continue their cooperation in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

Press release 302/2012
20 December 2012

On December 20, Finland and the United States signed in Helsinki a “Memorandum of Understanding” through which they will continue their cooperation in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Finland’s contribution to the U.S.-led programme will be used to provide radiation detection equipment to Ukraine to detect and deter nuclear smuggling across its international borders. Finland has previously provided funding for similar activities in 2010 and 2011.

The project is part of the United States’ Nuclear Smuggling Outreach Initiative (NSOI), which assists third countries in preventing the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive materials. The countries currently receiving assistance through the programme include Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lithuania, Moldova, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine. Finland is one of thirteen partners providing funding for the programme.

The Finnish contribution is part of Finland’s Global Partnership commitment. The purpose of the G8 Global Partnership initiative is to support the prevention of the spread of WMD, disarmament and improvements in bio and nuclear security.